Salinas Voters Reject Measure H Rent Rules

Early returns show Measure H failing while Measure G, which extends a 1-cent sales tax, leads with 77 percent of the vote.

Updated on Nov. 4, 2026 in City Hall

Salinas Voters Reject Measure H Rent Rules

Live Poll

Should your city keep rent stabilization and stronger tenant protections in place?

Salinas voters are rejecting Measure H, which would have repealed four housing ordinances offering tenant protections stronger than state law, with early returns showing 41 percent in favor. Early results from the Monterey County Elections Department came in at about 8:25pm on Election Day.

Why it matters

The measure would have repealed local rent stabilization and tenant protections, and its outcome determines whether those rules remain in place for Salinas renters. The campaign against it was outspent by a landlord-backed committee by more than 9-to-1.

Measure H stands at 41 percent with 6,786 yes votes against 9,764 no votes in early returns. Late-counted ballots could still shift totals, and the final certified result was not yet available.

The players

Monterey County Elections Department

The county office that reports election results for Monterey County, including Salinas races and measures.

Dennis Donohue

The Salinas mayor leading a four-way race with 63 percent of early returns.

Irma Lopez

A Salinas trustee at Hartnell College who leads the District 5 council race in early returns.

The details

Measure H would have repealed four housing-related ordinances offering stronger tenant protections than state law. Mayor Dennis Donohue leads a four-way race with 63 percent, while in District 5 Irma Lopez leads incumbent Andrew Sandoval 1,318 votes to 1,122, and Tony Barrera holds 62 percent in District 2 over Jose Guerra.

Oct. 28, 2026: Dolores Huerta died.
Nov. 3, 2026: Election Day votes were counted, with initial results reported at 8:25pm.
Nov. 3, 2026, 10:15pm: Election returns reported for Salinas council races.

Political Context

Measure G would extend the 1-cent sales tax passed in 2014 and remove its sunset date, which would keep the roughly $47 million budget gap from forcing cuts. Opponents of Measure H, led by a committee that raised far less than its landlord-backed rival, argued that existing tenant protections should remain in place.

Renters in Salinas would keep existing tenant protections if Measure H fails, which is what early returns show. Residents would see a 1-cent sales tax continue without a sunset date if Measure G is certified as leading.